Jason is 9 miles ahead of Joe running at 5.5 miles per hour and Joe is running at the speed of 7 miles per hour. How long does it take Joe to catch Jason?
A. 3 hours
B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours
Distance formula is d = rt
Jason's formula (Add 9 since he's ahead 9 miles):
d = 5.5t + 9
Joe's formula:
d = 7t
Set both distance formulas equal to each other:
5.5t + 9 = 7t
Subtract 5.5t from each side:
5.5t - 5.5t + 9 = 7t - 5.5t
1.5t = 9
Divide each side by 1.5:
1.5t/1.5 = 9/1.5
t = 6 hours
Check our work with t = 6
Joe = 7(6) = 42
Jason = 5.5(6) + 9= 33 + 9 = 42
A. 3 hours
B. 4 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours
Distance formula is d = rt
Jason's formula (Add 9 since he's ahead 9 miles):
d = 5.5t + 9
Joe's formula:
d = 7t
Set both distance formulas equal to each other:
5.5t + 9 = 7t
Subtract 5.5t from each side:
5.5t - 5.5t + 9 = 7t - 5.5t
1.5t = 9
Divide each side by 1.5:
1.5t/1.5 = 9/1.5
t = 6 hours
Check our work with t = 6
Joe = 7(6) = 42
Jason = 5.5(6) + 9= 33 + 9 = 42
Last edited: